Freight container comprising a climate arrangement and method for controlling the climate arrangement

ABSTRACT

A freight container ( 10 ), comprising: a cargo compartment being defined by a floor ( 16 ), a ceiling ( 14 ) and walls ( 18   a - d ) wherein the ceiling comprises an inner portion ( 40 ) and an outer portion ( 24 ) defining a first space ( 26 ). The freight container further comprises a climate arrangement ( 50 ), configured for providing a climate-conditioned air-flow into said cargo compartment of said freight container. At least one of said walls comprises an inner wall portion ( 17   a,    42 ) and an outer wall portion ( 17   b,    32 ) defining a second space ( 19   a,    19   b ), wherein said first space is fluidically connected to said second space, and said inner wall portion comprises at least one aperture ( 110 ) between said second space and said cargo compartment. The climate arrangement is configured to provide said climate-conditioned air-flow into said cargo compartment of said freight container via said first space, said second space and said at least one aperture.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of freight containers. More specifically, the present invention relates to climate arrangements in freight containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A substantial part of goods that is transported around the world today requires or benefits from having a climate-controlled environment around the goods within the freight containers. In particular, many pharmaceutical companies are today using air transportation to ship temperature-sensitive medicals. The shipments are often governed under regulatory demands and stipulate control of the temperature during the entire shipment. A common demand is to keep the shipment temperature within intervals, such as e.g. 2-8° C. or 15-25° C. Goods like vaccines and insulin are two common medicals that require a strict temperature of 2-8° C. during the whole shipment to its destination. Hence, the demands on temperature control are rigorous, as temperature sensitive goods may be destroyed or deteriorated if they are exposed to too high and/or too low temperatures during transportation.

In combination with the demands of temperature control of the freight containers as described above, there is also a need to inhibit a displacement of the goods during transportation in order to provide a safe and reliable transportation of the goods. Furthermore, it is desirable to optimize the cargo compartment of the freight containers. More specifically, it should be noted that cargo compartments in the prior art often cannot provide an optimum loading, transportation and/or de-loading of the goods.

Hence, there is a need to provide a freight container which can provide a reliable temperature regulation of the freight container whilst at the same time inhibiting a displacement of the goods during transportation and providing an improved cargo compartment for handling and/or transportation of goods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to mitigate one or more of the above problems and to provide a freight container which can provide a reliable temperature regulation of the freight container whilst at the same time inhibiting a displacement of the goods during transportation and providing an improved cargo compartment for handling and/or transportation of goods.

This and other objects are achieved by providing a freight container and a method having the features in the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

Hence, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a freight container comprising a cargo compartment being defined by a floor, a ceiling and walls. The ceiling of the cargo compartment comprises an inner portion and an outer portion defining a first space. The freight container further comprises a climate arrangement, configured for providing a climate-conditioned air-flow into the cargo compartment of the freight container. The climate-conditioned air-flow is provided in vicinity of the ceiling of the cargo compartment. At least one of the walls comprises an inner wall portion and an outer wall portion defining a second space. The first space is fluidically connected to the second space, and the inner wall portion comprises at least one aperture between the second space and the cargo compartment. The climate arrangement is configured to provide the climate-conditioned air-flow into the cargo compartment of the freight container via the first space, the second space and the at least one aperture.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a climate-conditioned air-flow in a freight container. The method comprises the step of providing, by a climate arrangement, a climate-conditioned air-flow into a cargo compartment of the freight container, wherein the cargo compartment is defined by a floor, a ceiling and walls, wherein the ceiling comprises an inner portion and an outer portion defining a first space, and wherein the climate-conditioned air-flow is provided in vicinity of the ceiling of the cargo compartment. The method further comprises the step of providing the climate-conditioned air-flow into the cargo compartment of the freight container via the first space and a second space defined by an inner wall portion and an outer wall portion of at least one of the walls, wherein the first space is fluidically connected to the second space and wherein and the inner wall portion comprises at least one aperture between the second space and the cargo compartment.

Thus, the freight container according to the invention is based on the idea of providing a climate arrangement which is able to distribute a climate-conditioned air-flow into the cargo compartment of the freight container from a passage at the ceiling, via one or more passages in one or more walls, and into the cargo compartment via one or more apertures of the one or more walls. By this arrangement, the freight container provides a reliable temperature regulation whilst at the same time providing an improved cargo compartment for a secure fastening of the goods which consequently inhibits a displacement of the goods transported therein. Furthermore, the freight container provides a facilitated handling of the goods into and out of the cargo compartment.

As the innovative climate arrangement of the present invention may distribute a climate-conditioned air-flow into the cargo compartment via the first and second passages of the of the ceiling and wall(s), respectively, and furthermore via the aperture(s) of the wall(s), the present invention is advantageous in that the cargo compartment of the freight container may be optimized for inhibiting a displacement of the goods during transportation and for an improved and facilitated handling of the goods. More specifically, compared to a distribution of an air-flow into a cargo compartment via equipment such as elements, components, units, ducts, piping, etc., arranged inside the cargo compartment, the present invention provides a freight container wherein the climate arrangement is provided separately from the cargo compartment. In other words, the freight container of the present invention provides a reliable temperature regulation whilst at the same time avoiding an obstruction of the space of the cargo compartment.

The present invention is advantageous in that the cargo compartment of the freight container, wherein the cargo compartment is defined by the floor, ceiling and/or walls, may be optimized for a secure fastening of the goods by virtue of its innovative climate arrangement. Notably, the parts of the floor, ceiling and/or walls facing the cargo compartment may, for example, be designed to be (completely) flat. This is highly advantageous in that goods may be arranged such that they are in direct contact with the wall(s), and that the goods hereby may be securely fastened. Hence, the cargo compartment of the freight container inhibits an undesirable displacement of the goods during transportation. It will be appreciated that the innovative concept of the present invention furthermore results in an increased loading capacity of the cargo compartment.

The present invention is further advantageous in that a facilitated handling of the goods related to loading and/or de-loading of the goods into (out of) the cargo compartment may be provided. Notably, as the cargo compartment may be provided without equipment of the climate arrangement such as elements, components, units, ducts, piping, etc., the present invention mitigates any interference with equipment of this kind e.g. during a loading and/or de-loading operation of goods.

The present embodiment is further advantageous in that the climate arrangement mitigates, or even completely avoids, any inflicted damage on the goods and/or any equipment for handling the goods, during loading, transportation and/or de-loading of the goods. Compared to climate arrangements comprising obstructive and/or projecting equipment within the cargo compartment, which may damage the goods upon contact, the innovative concept of the present invention may lead to a safer handling and/or transportation of goods.

There is provided a freight container comprising: a cargo compartment being defined by a floor, a ceiling and walls. Hence, the floor, ceiling and walls define the cargo compartment, which may be formed as a cube or a rectangular cuboid (parallelepiped). The ceiling of the cargo compartment comprises an inner portion and an outer portion defining a first space. Hence, the ceiling defines a first space, which furthermore may be denoted as a passage, a duct, or the like. The freight container comprises a climate arrangement, configured for providing a climate-conditioned air-flow into the cargo compartment of the freight container. By “climate arrangement”, it is here meant substantially any arrangement, device or unit which is able to provide a climate-conditioned air-flow. The climate-conditioned air-flow is provided in vicinity of the ceiling of the cargo compartment. At least one of the walls of the cargo compartment comprises an inner wall portion and an outer wall portion defining a second space. Hence, one or more of the walls define(s) a second space, which furthermore may be denoted as a passage, a duct, or the like. The first space is fluidically connected to the second space. Hence, the first and second spaces are connected or coupled fluidically such that an air flow may pass from the first space to the second space. The inner wall portion(s) of the wall(s) of the cargo compartment comprise(s) at least one aperture between the second space and the cargo compartment. The climate arrangement is configured to provide the climate-conditioned air-flow into the cargo compartment of the freight container via the first space and the second space. Hence, the climate arrangement is configured to pass an air flow from the first space, via the second space, and into the cargo compartment via the aperture(s).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one aperture may be provided in vicinity of the floor.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the walls comprises an inner wall portion and an outer wall portion defining a third space, wherein the cargo compartment of the freight container is fluidically connected to the third space and wherein the climate arrangement is configured to return a residual air-flow of the climate-conditioned air-flow from the cargo compartment of the freight container via the third space. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the construction of the freight container provides an efficient circulation of the climate-conditioned air-flow in the freight container.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the third space comprises an auxiliary passage arranged in vicinity of the inner portion of the ceiling, wherein an inlet of the auxiliary passage is arranged between a top part of the inner wall portion and the inner portion of the ceiling. It should be noted that upper parts of the cargo arranged in the cargo compartment, and in particular if arranged against one or more walls of the cargo compartment, may be subjected to a too cold (or warm) air-flow from the climate arrangement. The present embodiment is hereby advantageous in that the inlet of the auxiliary passage is configured to lead a portion of the climate-conditioned air-flow from a top part of the cargo compartment of the freight container to the climate arrangement.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the walls may comprise two oppositely arranged side walls, a door and a back wall arranged oppositely the door, wherein the side walls define the second space, and the back wall defines the third space.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the inner portion may comprise an opening between the first space and the cargo compartment in vicinity of the door. Hence, the inner portion of the ceiling of the cargo compartment comprises an opening, and the climate arrangement is configured to provide a portion of the climate-conditioned air-flow into the cargo compartment of the freight container via the opening. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the provision of the climate-conditioned air-flow in vicinity of the door may reduce the amount of external gas being able to enter into the cargo compartment when the freight container door(s) is (are) opened.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the climate arrangement may be configured to control a ratio between the climate-controlled air-flow to be provided into the cargo compartment via the at least one aperture and the portion of the climate-controlled air-flow to be provided into the cargo compartment via the at least one opening. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the climate arrangement is configured to efficiently determine the amount of climate-controlled air-flow to be distributed via the aperture(s) with respect to the amount of climate-controlled air-flow to be distributed via the opening.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the climate arrangement may be configured to provide the climate-conditioned air-flow into the cargo compartment via the at least one aperture as a function of the position of the at least one aperture in the inner wall portion. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the climate arrangement may, to an even further extent, customize the distribution of the climate-controlled air flow into the cargo compartment of the freight container.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a concentration of the at least one aperture increases in a direction of the cargo compartment from the back wall towards the door. In other words, the distribution (or number) of apertures in the inner wall portion, between the second space and the cargo compartment, increases in a direction of the cargo compartment from the back wall towards the door. Considering that the climate-conditioned air-flow may be heated in its way from the climate arrangement behind the back wall towards the door in the ceiling, there may be a need of a larger flow in an area of the cargo compartment in vicinity of the door compared to an area of the cargo compartment in vicinity of the back wall.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the freight container further comprises at least one spacer arranged on at least one of the door and the back wall.

According to an embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, the step of providing the climate-conditioned air-flow into the cargo compartment via the at least one aperture is performed as a function of the position of the at least one aperture in the inner wall portion.

According to an embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, the walls comprise two oppositely arranged side walls, a door and a back wall arranged oppositely the door, wherein the inner portion comprises an opening between the first space and the cargo compartment in vicinity of the door. The step of providing the climate-conditioned air-flow into the cargo compartment comprises controlling a ratio between the climate-controlled air-flow to be provided into the cargo compartment via the at least one aperture and the climate-controlled air-flow to be provided into the cargo compartment via the at least one opening.

Further objectives of, features of, and advantages with, the present invention will become apparent when studying the following detailed disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will realize that different features of the present invention can be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing embodiment(s) of the invention.

FIGS. 1A and 1B schematically show a freight container according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 schematically shows a freight container according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A schematically shows a freight container 10 according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention. It will be appreciated that the freight container 10 may be substantially any container for the purpose of goods transportation. Preferably, the freight container 10 is an airfreight container, arranged for transportation in aircraft. The freight container 10 is defined by an outer shell 12. Within the outer shell 12, the freight container 10 comprises a cargo compartment 20 being defined by a floor 16, a ceiling 14 and walls 18 a-c. The ceiling 14 of the cargo compartment 20 comprises an inner portion 40 and an outer portion 24 defining a first space 26. The freight container 10 further comprises a climate arrangement 50, configured for providing a climate-conditioned air-flow 100 into the cargo compartment 20 of the freight container 10. The climate-conditioned air-flow 100 is provided in vicinity of the ceiling 14 of the cargo compartment 20. More specifically, and according to the example of FIG. 1A, the climate control system 50 is situated in a control compartment 30 that is separated from the cargo compartment 20 by an outer wall portion 32. Upon operation, the climate control system 50 provides an air-flow 102 going out from the climate control system 50 through an output pipe 36. The inner portion 40 of the ceiling 14 does not cover all the distance to the walls and leaves an opening for a climate-conditioned air-flow to flow into the main cargo compartment 20. For example, the inner portion 40 of the ceiling 14 comprises an opening 21, wherein the climate arrangement 50 is configured to provide the climate-conditioned air-flow 100 into the cargo compartment of the freight container via the opening 21. Furthermore, the freight container 10 comprises an inner wall portion 43 in form of a plate which is arranged parallel to, and in vicinity of, the wall 18 b. A portion 111 of the climate-conditioned air flow 100 is arranged to pass between the inner wall portion 43 and the wall 18 b and into the cargo compartment 20 at the bottom of the inner wall portion 43 in vicinity of the floor 16.

Likewise, there is in this particular embodiment also an inner wall portion 42, placed with a small distance to the wall separating the cargo compartment 20 from the control compartment 30. Gas leaving the cargo compartment 20 flows beneath the edge of the inner wall portion 42 and upwards along the wall into the input pipe 38.

At least one of the walls 18 a-c comprises an inner wall portion and an outer wall portion defining a second space (indicated in FIG. 1B). The first space 26 is fluidically connected to the second space, and the climate-conditioned air-flow 100 is hereby arranged to flow 108 into the cargo compartment 20 via the first space and the second space. It will be appreciated that the flow 108 is indicated by dashed arrows on the inside of wall 18 a, as the flow 108 is arranged to pass through the second space being defined by the inner and outer wall portions of the wall 18 a.

The inner wall portion comprises at least one aperture 110 between the second space and the cargo compartment 20. It should be noted that the freight container 10 may be provided with any number of apertures 110, and that the number of apertures 110 in FIG. 1A is shown as an example. Furthermore, in FIG. 1A, the apertures 110 are exemplified as being provided in vicinity of the floor 16, but the apertures 110 may alternatively be provided at other positions of the inner wall portion. The climate arrangement 50 may be configured to provide the climate-conditioned air-flow 100 into the cargo compartment 20 via the apertures 110 as a function of the position of the apertures 110 in the inner wall portion. It will be appreciated that the inner wall portion 43 may comprise apertures at the bottom part of the inner wall portion 43 in vicinity of the floor 16 for providing the portion 111 of the climate-conditioned air-flow 100 into the cargo compartment 20.

According to the exemplifying embodiment of the freight container in FIG. 1A, the apertures 110 are evenly distributed between in the wall 18 a. However, the apertures 110 may alternatively have a higher concentration in a vicinity of one of the walls 18 a-c and/or that the concentration of the apertures increases in a direction of the cargo compartment, e.g. from wall 18 c towards wall 18 b.

The inner wall portion 42 is placed with a small distance to the outer wall portion 32. The inner wall portion 42 and the outer wall portion 32 define a third space 34. The cargo compartment 20 of the freight container 10 is fluidically connected to the third space 34, and the climate arrangement 50 is configured to return a residual (return) air-flow 104 of the climate-conditioned air-flow 100 from the cargo compartment 20 via the third space 34. Here, the climate control system 50 receives the residual (return) air-flow 104 through an input pipe 38.

In the example of FIG. 1A, the walls 18 a-c of the freight container 10 comprise two oppositely arranged side walls, namely wall 18 a and the wall oppositely arranged wall 18 a (not indicated). The walls 18 a-c further comprise a door 18 b and a back wall 18 c arranged oppositely the door 18 b. According to the above, the wall 18 a and the wall arranged oppositely wall 18 a define a part of the second space, through which the flow 108 is arranged to pass. The back wall 18 c defines the third space through which the residual (return) air-flow 104 is arranged to pass.

FIG. 1B schematically shows a freight container 10 according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention. It will be appreciated that FIG. 1B shows the freight container 10 as exemplified in FIG. 1A in an alternative view “through” the wall/door 18 b and towards the back wall 18 c. Furthermore, as some references and/or functions of the freight container 10 are omitted in FIG. 1B compared to FIG. 1A, it is referred to FIG. 1A for an increased understanding.

In FIG. 1B, the cargo compartment 20 of the freight container 10 is defined by a floor 16, a ceiling 14 and walls 18 (of which only oppositely arranged walls 18 a and 18 d are indicated). The ceiling 14 of the cargo compartment 20 comprises an inner portion 40 and an outer portion 24 defining a first space 26. Upon operation, the climate control system (not shown) provides a climate-conditioned air-flow 100 to flow 108 into the main cargo compartment.

The walls 18 a, 18 d comprise an inner wall portion 17 a and an outer wall portion 17 b, respectively, defining a second space 19 a, 19 b. The first space 26 is fluidically connected to the second space 19 a, 19 b, and the climate-conditioned air-flow 100 is hereby arranged to flow 108 into the cargo compartment 20 via the first space 26 and the second space 19 a, 19 b.

The inner wall portion 17 a comprises apertures 110 between the second space 19 a, 19 b and the cargo compartment 20. In FIG. 1B, the apertures 110 are exemplified as being provided in vicinity of the floor 16, but the apertures 110 may alternatively be provided at other positions of the inner wall portion 17 a.

The climate arrangement is configured to return a residual (return) air-flow 104 of the climate-conditioned air-flow 100 from the cargo compartment 20 via a third space (shown in FIG. 1A).

FIG. 2 schematically shows a portion of a freight container according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention. For reasons of simplicity, FIG. 2 indicates the upper leftmost portion of the freight container 10 as exemplified in FIG. 1A and the associated text. However, FIG. 2 shows an alternative configuration of this part of the freight container. More specifically, the freight container comprises an auxiliary passage 106 in vicinity of the inner portion 40 of the ceiling. The inlet 108 of the auxiliary passage 106 is a slit which is provided between a top part of the inner wall portion 42 and the inner portion 40 of the ceiling, wherein the slit elongates along the length of the inner wall portion 42. The auxiliary passage 106 is provided between the inner wall portion 42 and an isolating element 107. The isolating element 107 is in turn arranged adjacent the climate arrangement 50.

The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. For example, one or more of the cargo compartment 20, the climate arrangement 50 and/or the apertures 110, etc., may have different shapes, dimensions and/or sizes than those depicted/described. 

1. A freight container, comprising: a cargo compartment being defined by a floor, a ceiling and walls wherein the ceiling comprises an inner portion and an outer portion defining a first space; a climate arrangement, configured for providing a climate-conditioned air-flow into said cargo compartment of said freight container; wherein said climate-conditioned air-flow is provided in vicinity of said ceiling of said cargo compartment; at least one of said walls comprises an inner wall portion and an outer wall portion defining a second space; said first space is fluidically connected to said second space, and said inner wall portion comprises at least one aperture between said second space and said cargo compartment; wherein said climate arrangement is configured to provide said climate-conditioned air-flow into said cargo compartment of said freight container via said first space, said second space and said at least one aperture.
 2. The freight container according to claim 1, wherein said at least one aperture is provided in vicinity of said floor.
 3. The freight container according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said walls comprises an inner wall portion and an outer wall portion defining a third space, wherein said cargo compartment of said freight container is fluidically connected to said third space and wherein said climate arrangement is configured to return a residual air-flow of said climate-conditioned air-flow from said cargo compartment of said freight container via said third space.
 4. The freight container according to claim 3, wherein said third space comprises an auxiliary passage arranged in vicinity of said inner portion of said ceiling, wherein an inlet of said auxiliary passage is arranged between a top part of said inner wall portion and said inner portion of said ceiling.
 5. The freight container according to claim 3, wherein said walls comprise two oppositely arranged side walls, a door and a back wall arranged oppositely said door, wherein said side walls define said second space, and said back wall defines said third space.
 6. The freight container according to claim 5, wherein said inner portion comprises an opening between said first space and said cargo compartment in vicinity of said door, wherein said climate arrangement is configured to provide a portion of said climate-conditioned air-flow into said cargo compartment of said freight container via said opening.
 7. The freight container according to claim 6, wherein said climate arrangement is configured to control a ratio between said climate-controlled air-flow to be provided into said cargo compartment via said at least one aperture and said portion of the climate-controlled air-flow to be provided into said cargo compartment via said at least one opening.
 8. The freight container according to claim 1, wherein said climate arrangement is configured to provide the climate-conditioned air-flow into said cargo compartment via said at least one aperture as a function of the position of said at least one aperture in said inner wall portion.
 9. The freight container according to claim 5, wherein said climate arrangement is configured to provide the climate-conditioned air-flow into said cargo compartment via said at least one aperture as a function of the position of said at least one aperture in said inner wall portion, and wherein a concentration of said at least one aperture, by the number of said at least one aperture, increases in a direction of the cargo compartment from said back wall towards said door.
 10. The freight container according to claim 5, wherein said freight container further comprises at least one spacer arranged on at least one of said door and said back wall.
 11. A method for controlling a climate-conditioned air-flow in a freight container, comprising the steps of: providing, by a climate arrangement, a climate-conditioned air-flow into a cargo compartment of said freight container; said cargo compartment being defined by a floor, a ceiling and walls, wherein the ceiling comprises an inner portion and an outer portion defining a first space; wherein said climate-conditioned air-flow is provided in vicinity of said ceiling of said cargo compartment; and providing said climate-conditioned air-flow into said cargo compartment of said freight container via said first space and a second space defined by an inner wall portion and an outer wall portion of at least one of said walls, wherein said first space is fluidically connected to said second space and wherein said inner wall portion comprises at least one aperture between said second space and said cargo compartment.
 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said step of providing said climate-conditioned air-flow into said cargo compartment via said at least one aperture is performed as a function of the position of said at least one aperture in said inner wall portion.
 13. The method according to claim 11, wherein said walls comprise two oppositely arranged side walls, a door and a back wall arranged oppositely said door, wherein said inner portion comprises an opening between said first space and said cargo compartment in vicinity of said door, wherein said step of providing said climate-conditioned air-flow into said cargo compartment comprises controlling a ratio between the climate-controlled air-flow to be provided into said cargo compartment via said at least one aperture and the climate-controlled air-flow to be provided into said cargo compartment via said at least one opening. 